In his first season as Steelers defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin has had to navigate the early portion of the season without linebacker T.J. Watt, which alone would make the job of anyone in his position extremely difficult.
Now, he’s in the process of devising a game plan for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills with his top five defensive backs on the injury report, including one starter who already has been ruled out.
“We’re going to move forward, and we’re going to try to do it with the guys who show up,” Austin said Thursday. “Put them in the best position possible to give us an opportunity.”
Starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon will not play for a second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury. Strong safety Terrell Edmunds remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol after leaving the Jets game in the second quarter, but he at least was a limited participant in practice Thursday. The same went for free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee), cornerback Cameron Sutton (groin, hamstring) and cornerback Levi Wallace (foot), who is in the starting lineup for Witherspoon.
There might be more certainty with the winds whipping off Lake Erie this weekend than the status of the Steelers defensive backfield, but the coaches at the very least have some flexibility in the moves they can make on the back end.
Second-year defensive back Tre Norwood replaced Edmunds when he exited the Jets game. Norwood made the team last season after being selected in the seventh round of the draft because of his versatility and smarts, and he’s had to lean on those qualities this week. Norwood has taken snaps at strong and free safety in practices, he said.
“For me, the biggest thing is whatever is asked of me, I’m detailing that out in the meeting room and on the practice field,” Norwood said. “I pride myself in being able to play multiple positions, so whatever is asked of me, I’m making sure I have great preparation and go out there Sunday, provide whatever our defense needs.”
The Steelers like to stockpile versatile defensive backs. Before he became a starting outside corner, Sutton played in the slot and as a safety in sub-packages. Norwood has done much of the same for the Steelers since he arrived.
“The versatility on the back end is big for us,” Norwood said. “Everyone in our room can play multiple positions. You hate injuries. It’s part of the game, but you hate it. Having guys who can play multiple positions and be moving pieces helps out in times like this.”
Given the way passing offenses have developed in recent years, versatility is almost a prerequisite for defensive backs to play in the league. In other eras, defensive back positions were more defined. There was the big, strapping strong safety who could be an extra run defender. There was the athletic free safety who played center field, and there were two cover corners.
It’s much different now as offenses are deploying different types of receivers and running backs to attack defenses.
“You always recruit guys who are first and foremost good football players, but they can do multiple things,” Austin said. “They’re not just pigeonholed into one thing. That’s really going to come into play this week and hopefully will be helpful. We’ll see how we line up on Sunday and what we got. I know this: I’ll have confidence in the guys on the field that they’ll be able to get the job done.”
The depleted secondary held up well without Edmunds in the third quarter, but the Jets passed their way to two late touchdowns by slicing and dicing the Steelers in the middle of the field and converting possession downs after having little success in those situations earlier in the game.
The Steelers had similar issues against the Patriots and Browns late in those losses when those offenses converted big possessions downs in critical situations to come away with the victory.
“It’s a matter of how we figure out the same plays in the fourth quarter when it’s time,” Austin said. “We’ve been in position. We’ve given ourselves opportunities to win games, and we have to come up with the plays at the appropriate time to get off the field and turn the tide, stop momentum.
“Guys are working their butts off. It’ll come. We know how fine the line is to win and lose games. We’ve been in a lot of close games. Eventually, it will turn in our favor and we’ll start making those plays.”
Eleven of Zach Wilson’s 18 completions came on those two drives, including passes for 15, 17, 22 and 35 yards. Coach Mike Tomlin cited fatigue and in-game injuries for some of the issues defending the pass in the fourth quarter, but Austin isn’t going to let those excuses explain away the shortcomings of his unit.
“We have to figure out a way, no matter who is on the field,” Austin said. “The only thing people care about is do we win, or do we lose? That’s our mindset. We have to figure out a way to get it done. It’s just a matter of educating our guys on how everything ties together. It’s not that they’re making giant, glaring mistakes. But it’s a mistake here and mistake there. At certain times, when you make those mistakes, they hurt you. That’s what we’re trying to do: cut down on the mistakes. We have to cut down on the amount of small errors because they lead to big problems.”
